1. Inauguration Ceremony
The Vivekananda Centre for Human Excellence (VCHE) at Gandhinagar was inaugurated on 1 February 2026. The programme began at 8:50 a.m. with the arrival of Most Revered Srimat Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj, President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. Revered Maharaj formally opened the building by cutting the ribbon in the presence of monks of the Order.
2. Shrine Sanctification
At 9:00 a.m., the Shrine was inaugurated, and a special puja was performed by Swami Shantatmanandaji Maharaj (Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Gurugram). The President Maharaj offered Arghya, Arati, and Pushpanjali, and delivered a brief benedictory address.
3. Opening of Facilities
Revered Maharaj inaugurated the Exhibition on the fourth floor, various facilities on the first floor, and launched the Centre’s website: www.rkmvche.org.
At 10:00 a.m., the Bookstall was inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Former Vice President of India, who praised the Mission as a “University of Values.” The morning session ended with the unveiling of the commemorative plaque.
4. Convention Sessions at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram
A. Devotees’ Convention
- Devotional singing by Kum. Vaishnavi and a classical dance presentation.
- Inaugural addresses by Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu and Swami Gautamanandaji Maharaj.
- Talks by several monks and dignitaries.
- Vedic chanting by Swami Yogagamyanandaji Maharaj.
- Reception of guests by Dr. Jayaram garu and Sri Y. Ramakrishna Rao with Mission School students.
B. Vivekananda Youth Convention
Around 600 students attended this session on India @ 2047 and character-building.
Speakers included Revered Swamis Nirbhayananda Saraswati, Veereshananda Saraswati, Anupamananda, and Bodhamayananda.
The programme included yoga and karate demonstrations, a fusion dance, and a Telugu skit “Patriot Monk – Swami Vivekananda.”
C. Teachers’ Convention (Swami Ranganathananda Commemoration Lecture)
This session focused on the qualities of the “Ideal Teacher.”
Speakers included Swamis Shithikanthananda, Sarvalokananda, Shantatmananda, and Raghunayakananda.
Sri Premkumar from Hyderabad shared reminiscences of Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj.
5. Felicitations
The programme included recognition of:
- Chief guests and dignitaries: Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu and Dr. Kamineni Srinivas (MLA).
- Major donors: Sri Gokaraju Gangaraju, Sri Koratala Shiva, Sri Rudraprasad, and Smt. Kameswari.
- Construction team members, including engineers, contractors, painters, electricians, and technical staff, who were honoured by the Most Revered Maharaj.
6. Future Plans
Swami Vinishchalanandaji Maharaj announced that Civil Services coaching and Human Excellence programmes will begin at VCHE from April 2026.
The inaugural programme concluded with a community dinner for all attendees.
